Chapter 4: Following God's Will
Georg was now putting the last of the baggage of the children in the trunk. They were inside the car, patiently waiting. It was night time, and all the staff were asleep. The only person he notified of their departure is Frau Schmidt.
He quietly crept to the car and started the engine. He knew it made a sound, but he hoped it wasn't too loud. The gates were open, and he drove out them. He got out of the car and quietly closed it, before returning to the car and starting to drive on their journey.
He knew it was all too sudden, but his main concern is the safety of his family. He was more than willing to leave Austria for the sake of his family. Of how many times he fought for this country, this is what will happen. An incoming war from a madman who wants nothing but power.
They were on their way to a safe house at Innsbruck, where they'll stay for couple of days before they depart and make their way to Switzerland. He knew places surrounding Austria were still not the safest places to settle in, but it was the best he could do. He has got all this planned. He even thinks they could arrive in America. Places around Germany would never be safe enough for them. They'll need to leave Europe eventually. He's transferred some money to different parts of Europe, and a small amount to America. If possible, he could transfer more money from Switzerland to America, at least for him and the children's needs if they arrive at America.
Soon enough, all the children were asleep. They were now passing by trees and grassy meadows, mountains in the view and starry night skies. His thoughts suddenly drifted off to Maria. His conversation with Sister Margaretta yesterday afternoon came flooding back to him.
They're on their way to Switzerland, I guess.
He was hoping at least when they are in Switzerland he sees her. He sees her smile again, hears her laugh again, and gets a chance to show her how much he loved her. Georg regretted not telling her what he really felt while she was still in the villa. He was a coward. What if she returned those feelings?
Ugh, he thought. He stepped on the gas pedal and sped up, with the worry of the Germans behind them.
He looked at the rearview mirror and felt relief as there was no one behind them, only grassy meadows, a soily path, and trees.
After a few hours, they were nearing Innsbruck and he guessed he had to take a hidden path. Still, all the children were asleep, and he guessed that they really needed it now, and the sun is nearing its rise.
He took a shortcut he knew which passed by a huge amount of trees, and he knew the place was now here somewhere since that safe-house is hidden.
Soon, they arrived.
Maria and the others woke up before sunrise to get ready for their departure to Switzerland.
They took showers and Maria figured she needed to wear something to move freely, she wore her blue dress, and got a cardigan in case it becomes cold.
The blue dress that changed her life.
She remembered that night, after the puppet show, and his gaze on her on most parts of the song.
She remembered their intimate hugs and innocent kisses.
She remembered the simple gestures that made her blush and find it difficult to breathe.
She remembered the small chats and teasing they had on one another.
She remembered his blue eyes, his dark curly locks, his beautiful voice.
She remembered how he made her crazy for him.
A tear threatened to fall, but she quickly wiped it away. There was no time for that now. Right now, she was here, and they need to focus on their quest to safety.
She just focused in packing her bag.
After they were done packing, they ate a quick heavy breakfast and got their bags and quickly head to the car.
Maria looked around and then saw another car with a man closing a trunk and seven other people, two boys and five girls who looked vaguely familiar.
She analyzed and studied the figures.
Her breath hitched.
It was the von Trapps.
"...we always need to move quick and fast at all times. Don't bring out all of your things from your bag during our stay here so it will be easy to pack again, and lastly, always pray. Now go get your things and get inside," he ordered gently.
The children went over behind the car were their stuff were. Georg got his and looked at the house. He saw another car at the side which gave him a small heart attack. But no, it wasn't the Nazis. There was a woman looking at him, and he found the woman very familiar.
Short golden blonde hair, slender waist, and that breathtaking blue dress.
Maria.
Shocked and amazed of seeing each other again, their hearts were racing, and every bone of their body screamed "Go!" but still they didn't. It was like something was glueing them to the ground.
Georg felt his heart beat faster and faster. He could feel her eyes on him even though they were very far from each other, and all he wanted to do is to run to her, hold her into his arms. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, and kiss her like he'd always dreamed of.
But he doesn't know why he couldn't jus move his legs and run to her. Maybe he was still being a coward. He was fearing something will happen, something bad.
Maria looked at him placed a hand on her heart. It was him. It was the family she took as her own. And there was the man she loved.
Go Maria. Go to them. Go to him.This may be your last chance. Go!
She took a step forward and got ready to run. Georg was just looking at her.
"Maria! Let's go!"
She turned to Father Gregor and her three friends, and took one last glimpse at them.
Georg watched as she looked back and went inside the car. The car drove off, he guessed to the train station. There he was again, being a coward. Being so slow. Being so foolish.
He just let another door close.
She went inside the car. Adelheid, Klara, and Maxine questionably looked at her.
Maria eyed them. "What?"
"Who was that?" Klara asked.
"Who was who?" Maria replied, nervous.
"Oh don't you dare play games with us, Rainer. We know you were looking at the man by the other car. Who was that?" Adelheid demandingly said. The three were acting like teenage girls trying to pry out who was her secret crush in a sleepover.
"Fine then. That man was Georg," she blurted out, blushing.
The three gasped at the same time and then squealed. Maria rolled her eyes.
"Why in the world did you not go to him?" Klara asked, a wide grin spreading on her face.
"W-Well, I was in a state of shock and-"
"Well you should've went to him! He was the love of your life!" Klara exclaimed.
Maria blushed.
"You, my dear, just wasted a wonderful opportunity!" Maxine said.
Father Gregor looked at the rearview mirror and observed the four girls at the back, chuckling at their noise.
Girls, even though postulants, will always be girls, he thought, still chuckling. He looked at the rearview mirror again. Maria was nearly squeezed in at the side and he felt a little pity for what the three were doing.
"Maybe you lot should rest. Conserve your energy because we are going to be in a lot of traveling," Father Gregor finally said gently to the girls.
Adelheid, Maxine, and Klara blushed and smiled bashfully. The scooted a bit away to give Maria space.
They looked at her and muttered "sorry". Maria just chuckled and nodded.
Soon enough they were off to sleep, hearts and minds focused in following God's will for them.
A/N: I am really, really, really sorry for not updating. Gosh, school's so stressing it's just the first quarter! Please understand, this is school, and I want to maintain being in the honor roll. So, wonder how I actually updated? Well, in holidays (June 12 here was Independence Day and June 21 was Father's Day) I make the most in writing Chapter 4 and also in my free times when I don't have homeworks, quizzes, reports and such. Anyway, I really do hope you liked this chapter, and again, I am terribly sorry for not updating for so long. I also want to say a really, really big THANK YOU to all those who reviewed. Please continue to support this story and please R&R! :) (You won't have to wait for Chapter 5, I also finished that and it's coming up! :D)